STABBING

On January 29, 2012, at approximately 3:00 A.M., patrol officers were approached in the parking lot of 1366 Clifton Avenue (Richfield Shopping Center) by a male party who stated that his brother had just been stabbed. According to the complainant, he and his brother were walking to their vehicle after exiting "Bliss" night club when a verbal altercation ensued with three unknown male parties.The altercation reportedly turned physical and during the course of the assault, one of the three individuals brandished a knife and stabbed the complainant's brother in the chest. The complainant, who also suffered from injuries relating to to the assault, (however was not stabbed),  further indicated that another suspect  "punched out" the back window of his vehicle prior to fleeing the scene. It was reported that the suspects fled the scene in a black BMW.

Officers were subsequently directed to the 23 year old victim who was lying semi-conscious in the parking lot with a stab wound to the mid-torso. Medical personnel were summoned to the scene and a description of the fleeing actors and their vehicle was transmitted to other patrol units and surrounding jurisdictions. The victim was taken by ambulance to the St. Joseph's Hospital were he was conveyed to the Trauma Unit.

In the meantime, Patrolman Nicholas Hriczov and Patrolman Michael Adamo were in the process of searching the Clifton/ Passaic border when they observed a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. The officers subsequently stopped the vehicle on Blaine Street in the City of Passaic and met with the occupants of same. Blood evidence was quickly located inside the vehicle and the officers placed the three male occupants under arrest. It was subsequently confirmed that these individuals were involved in the assault and as a result, were conveyed to police headquarters.

Detective personnel became involved and the investigation progressed throughout the night. All three individuals were ultimately charged criminally. It was determined that the dirver of the vehicle, Jesus Ayala (35) of Garfield, NJ, was directly involved in the stabbing and as a result, was charged with Attempted Murder along with weapons offenses. Having been previously convicted of a crime, Ayala was additionally charged with a criminal statute relating to convicted felons being prohibited from carrying weapons. Ayala's co-defendants, Moises Arroyo (35) of Garfield, NJ and Jose Lopez (35) of Passaic, NJ were charged with Aggravated Assault (respectively) for the assault perpetrated upon the complainant during the incident. Lopez was additionally charged with Criminal Mischief for damaging the complainant's vehicle.

The victim of the stabbing suffered significant injury which ultimately required surgery. He remains at the hospital in recovery. The investigation is on-going.

ROBBERY

On 1/26/2012, at approximately 2:25 A.M., an armed robbery occurred at the "Shell" gas station located on Route 3 East. (Clifton). The attendant was approached by the suspect, who intially requested to purchase cigarettes. However, once the attendant entered the booth to retrieve them, the suspect brandished a handgun and pointed the weapon in the face of the attendant; stating "give me all your money." The suspect then entered the booth and proceeded to remove cash from the register as well as from the attendant's person. The suspect subsquently fled the scene on foot toward Route 3.

The suspect is described as an African American male with a slender build, approximately 6' tall, with an unshaven appearance. He was reportedly wearing a light blue or grey colored jacket (with the hood up) and denim jeans.

There are no further details available at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident or any of the previous gas station robberies is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau at 973-470-5908.

MISSING JUVENILE

This agency is searching for a missing juvenile (runaway) and is asking for the public's help in locating her. Jazmine Amaya (16 years of age) left her Clifton home in October 2011 and has not been in contact with her family since. Jazmine is a habitual runaway and usually frequents the area of Paterson, NJ. Investigators have been working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other state agencies; however, have been unsuccessful in determining her whereabouts.

At this time, Jazmine faces no criminal charges. However, due to her status as a juvenile, anyone choosing to harbor her, can be charged with offenses relating to child endangerment.  Anyone with information regarding Jazmine is urged to contact the Clifton Police Juvenile Bureau @973-470-5882 or the Clifton Police  Communications Center @973-470-5911.

BURGLARIES

On January 22, 2012, sometime between the hours of 1:00 AM and 2:20 AM, five businesses located on Piaget Avenue (specifically the "Middle Village" section) were burglarized. The actor(s) gained entry by breaking through each of the business's front (glass) doors. Once inside, the actor(s) removed proceeds (mainly cash) and subsequently escaped undetected.

The jurisdictions of Garfield and Mew Milford experienced similar incidents during the overnight hours and investigators are looking into the possibility that the burglaries may all be related. Anyone with information regarding any of these incidents is urged to contact the Clifton Police Department Detective Bureau @ 973-470-5908.

Sexual Assault

The Clifton Police Department Juvenile Division is currently investigating two incidents of Sexual Assault that occurred on the Clifton High School Campus on two different occassions during the month of January 2012. Both incidents involved the same (male) actor and (female) victim and occurred during the course of the school day. The incidents did not involve an "attack" of any sort; but were rather the result of prior acts of coercion. To date, the 17 year old male actor has been apprehended and detained in the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center. He has been charged with two counts of Sexual Assault, two counts of Criminal Coercion,  one count of Criminal Sexual Contact, and one act of Criminal Restraint. The investigation is on-going and additional information will be available upon it's conclusion.

ARMED ROBBERY

On 01/02/2012, at approximately 10:20 PM, a pedestrian became the victim of an armed robbery. The incident occurred at the intersection of Getty Avenue and Grace Avenue (Clifton) when the male victim was approached from behind by two male suspects, one of whom placed a metal object against the victim's mid-section and physically forced him up against a nearby fence. At this time, the second suspect began to remove cash and various personal belongings from the victim's person. Upon conclusion, the second suspect pulled the victim's hood over his head, turned him around several times, and told him to "start walking or you will get shot." The suspects fled the scene on foot toward Main Avenue.

Suspect #1 was described as a light skinned male (possibly African American), approximately 6' tall, and in his early 20's. This suspect was reportedly wearing a black "North Face" jacket and a black ski mask. Suspect #2 was described as a dark skinned male, approximately 6' tall, with a thin build, also in his early 20's. Suspect #2 ws reportedly wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

It is unknown if this incident is related to the robbery that occurred on Lincoln Place on 12/30/11. Detectives are currently investigating both incidents and further information will available as the investigations progress. Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @973-470-5908.

ARMED ROBBERY

On December 30, 2011, at approximately 10:50 PM, a 39 year old male was walking to a family member's residence on Lincoln Place (Clifton) when he was approached from behind by two male parties; one of whom was in possession of a "large", dark-colored handgun . The suspect proceeded to place the barrel of the weapon against the chest of the victim and demand that he hand over all the cash in his possession. The victim complied and also relinquished custody of other personal property to the suspects, who subsequently fled the scene on foot toward Center Street.

The suspects were described as being Hispanic, probably of Dominican descent, and in their early 20's. The suspect in possession of the handgun was described as being tall, with a thin build, and a dark complexion. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @ 973-470-5908.